Register now: https://squareup.com/store/maker-petaluma We gather together to Make. We build, create, design, do, and redo. Creativity is a necessarily wasteful process, and we embrace using lots of materials, imagination, purposeful effort, and time. We lean forward into our creations. Some Makers focus on handmade ships, others on sewing handmade dolls and felt animals. Another works on…

Science is the process of discovery. So getting hands-on is simply the best way to learn science! All the great scientists became great by setting out to discover. (Can you think of any that didn’t?) There are lots of reasons why this is true: Young people love science. But they don’t love science from a…

Science is best done in a hands-on/minds-on, immersive way. We learn best when we go out and touch, experience, participate in and observe anything in its natural environment: its context. That’s the premise of everything from outdoor education to internships. (Note: the “natural environment” of a software company is the office, the lunchtime meetings, the…

Last week was an incredible week. Maker Camp is always amazing, but these Makers really brought it. This group was invested, engaged, and above all, kind. Creativity oozed, paint splattered, steel burned, and PVC met bench grinder. Our theme this week was Creating Music. In the mornings, we met for circle, and shared our gratitude…

Tessa McClary, director of the Butterfly Ship Project, has agreed to join us for featured projects this summer! June 6-10, she will be leading us in creating musical instruments, and Tessa and Candace are collaborating on a music/art/technology performance art project. July and August camps will feature the marriage of art, science, and music. Stay…

Maker Faire Maker Faire is the mecca for Makers. We make every Monday, most summer and winter breaks, and on weekends. We just love to Make Things. So Maker Faire is an amazing place to go and see what other people have been making all year. Just looking, asking, watching, and receiving creativity. The best part…

Beautiful, isn’t it? Sleek, simple, and communicating elegant, understated value. But you can’t take it apart. “Why do we care?” You may ask. After all, wouldn’t you rather have the iPad at left in your bag instead of the mass of wires below (figure 1)? Wouldn’t the iPad be a more welcome item in your…

“When you want to build a ship, do not begin by gathering wood, cutting boards, and distributing work, but awaken within the heart of (people) the desire for the vast and endless sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Maker Camp and Maker Lab have a certain culture. (Just want to register? No problem. Here’s the link:…

We started Maker Lab with faith. We had faith that, given access to materials and tools and support, the kids would find their inspiration and be productive. We had faith that the kids would find a way toward their own betterment. Keep in mind that this was a brand-new Maker Lab. We had no previous…

Maker Petaluma We are hosting Maker Camp again! We bring supplies, materials, and adults with cool skills; you come do epic things, and (optionally) post them online! Then you go home, inspired and fired up, and check out other people’s projects online. Your winter break will be amazeballs. Register now: http://bit.ly/1OOFdKq On-site projects: All projects have optional goals…